BJA Amendments to IJF Contest Rules 2026 Updates – 12 Jun 26 – Webinar

Date / Time: 12 June 2026 17:30-18:30 on Microsoft Teams

Webinar for Coaches and Referees.

The BJA NCC has officially approved revisions to the Technical Restrictions for Less Experienced Judoka, which will come into effect on 06/07/2026. Developed by the National Coaching Commission (NCC) and approved alongside the National Refereeing Commission (NRC), these updates incorporate 12 months of development and pilot event feedback.

To prepare the community, upcoming webinars will target coaches and referees, detailing the logic and application behind the changes.

🎯 Key Objectives of the Revisions

• Age & Stage Appropriateness: Promoting fundamental, development-focused techniques.
• Long-Term Development: Encouraging active, positive attacking judo over passive tactics.
• Safety Enhancement: Reducing instances where young or novice judoka are placed in dangerous positions (e.g., preventing head-spiking or uncontrollable throws).
• Ambiguity Removal: Providing clear-cut guidelines standising the application of rules.
• Positive First Experiences: Ensuring competitive environments build confidence for entry-level fighters.

🔍 Webinar Focus Points

The sessions will break down how the rules affect these six core areas:

• Gripping Rules (Kumi-kata): Expectations around establishing standard sleeve-and-lapel grips and how non-standard or preparatory grips will be handled.
• Drop-knee and Sutemi-waza Rules: Restrictions surrounding dropping techniques (e.g., drop seoi-nage) and sacrifice throws, aimed at preventing judoka from dragging opponents down or sacrificing stance prematurely.
• Ne-waza Rules (Groundwork): Safe progression, boundaries for dynamic groundwork, and specific technical parameters for younger age bands.
• Penalties (Shido / Hansoku-make): Changes in how infractions are penalised, with an emphasis on shifting away from winning matches purely on opponent penalties.
• Contest Decisions: Clearer criteria for determining the winner when no decisive scores are made, potentially looking at positive attacking intent and balance disruption.
• Coaches Appeals: The code of conduct for coaches when querying a refereeing decision during a match.

For further details contact Joe Nunn via joe.nunn101@gmail.com

CONTEST RULES

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